The Jackson Street Corridor Plan is a forward-thinking initiative focused on revitalizing a key five-block area in east downtown Golden, Colorado. This design-centric study addresses public space and streetscape enhancements along Jackson Street, specifically from 11th to 13th Street. The core objective of the Jackson Street project is to ensure a unified and aesthetically pleasing design throughout the corridor as redevelopment progresses. This proactive approach prevents a fragmented or piecemeal development outcome, fostering a cohesive and functional urban environment. The Jackson Street Corridor Plan prioritizes the creation of a harmonious street design that emphasizes safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, while thoughtfully integrating vehicle access and parking solutions.
Project Objectives for Jackson Street
The Jackson Street Corridor Plan is structured around five key goals designed to significantly improve the downtown Golden experience:
- Improved Accessibility: A primary focus is on enhancing pedestrian pathways and developing robust multi-modal infrastructure. This aims to make Jackson Street and the surrounding areas more easily navigable and appealing for all modes of transportation, especially walking and biking.
- Optimized Parking Solutions: The plan seeks to improve the utilization of existing parking garages in the Jackson Street corridor. By enhancing the parking garage experience, the project aims to encourage greater use of these facilities, thereby freeing up surface space that can be repurposed for pedestrian and bicycle-friendly amenities.
- Enhanced Community Spaces: Creating more inviting and accessible public spaces is crucial. The plan aims to improve public access to and the overall enjoyment of amenity zones along Jackson Street, fostering a stronger sense of community and place.
- Cohesive Design and Streetscape: A central goal is to establish a unified streetscape design that seamlessly integrates with the existing character of downtown Golden. This involves creating a consistent aesthetic and functional environment along the Jackson Street corridor, enhancing the overall downtown experience.
- Supporting Future Redevelopment: The Jackson Street plan is designed to accommodate and support future redevelopment projects in the area. By establishing a clear framework and design vision, the plan ensures that new developments contribute to a coherent and well-integrated downtown environment along Jackson Street.
Background and Context of the Jackson Street Initiative
The Jackson Street Corridor Plan builds upon previous city planning efforts, including the 2013 East Downtown Plan and the more recent form-based zoning code for downtown Golden. The East Downtown Plan had identified this corridor as a vital secondary pedestrian access route to Washington Avenue, envisioning it as a natural expansion area for downtown Golden’s amenities, services, and businesses, running parallel to the main thoroughfare. Furthermore, the presence of two city-owned parking garages along Jackson Street underscores the area’s importance to downtown infrastructure.
The implementation of the form-based zoning code, coupled with improvements to the Kinney Run channel, are anticipated to stimulate significant redevelopment activity in east downtown Golden. This expected growth necessitates improved infrastructure to safely accommodate increased pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle traffic. It also presents a timely opportunity to proactively redesign and enhance the existing public spaces within the Jackson Street corridor.
While the East Downtown Plan initially proposed a pedestrian plaza or festival street concept for a portion of this corridor, current city priorities necessitate a more balanced strategy. This revised approach for Jackson Street prioritizes maintaining access to parking and efficient movement throughout the corridor, alongside creating a comfortable and cohesive pedestrian environment. The City of Golden aims for a design that skillfully incorporates on-street parking options while simultaneously fostering a welcoming and unified pedestrian experience along sidewalks and within designated public areas throughout the Jackson Street area.
The City of Golden, in collaboration with the Golden Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is actively developing a conceptual design for these five blocks in east downtown. This design encompasses multi-modal facilities, public realm enhancements, amenity zone designs, and on-street parking solutions. The identified corridor effectively links Washington Avenue with Ford Street and the Coors facilities, making Jackson Street a crucial artery in downtown Golden. Recognizing the likelihood of redevelopment for several properties along this corridor in the near future, the City is committed to ensuring a cohesive and well-planned design for this vital secondary access point to and through the heart of downtown Golden, centered around Jackson Street.
